2017 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Projections after Week 5

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Sep 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) rolls out of the pocket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Tigers won 26-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Clemson. Deshaun Watson. 4. player. 42. . QB

Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick are not the answer at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Provided that this season goes downhill, the 49ers could at least find a brand new quarterback that could be a perfect fit for Chip Kelly’s system.

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is shaking off the rust after a rough start to this season. He will need to add a little more weight at the next level, but Watson’s arm strength and mobility make him an ideal candidate to replace Gabbert under center for the 49ers.

The one concern with Watson is that he rarely goes through his reads, usually staring down his No. 1 target and taking off if he’s not open. That could change with time, but other than that Watson looks like a legitimate first-round pick. A poor performance against Louisville might hurt his stock, but the teams at the top of this mock draft need a quarterback so badly that they’ll consider reaching for one.

With Watson at the helm of the 49ers offense, Kelly could start expanding the playbook and utilizing the Clemson quarterback’s skill set.

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